Cords on blinds, curtains and internal coverings

“Blinds, curtains and window coverings inside the home often have long cords.”

“Make sure you buy blinds and curtains with safe design features and warning labels.”

“Make sure any loose or looped cords are secured. Keep cords out of reach of children and don’t leave them hanging down.”

“Children can be strangled by unsecured blind or curtain cords.”

“About blinds, curtains and window fittings”

“Blinds and curtains are corded internal window coverings used inside a home. Traverse rods or tracks are window fittings used to hang curtains.”

“Blinds, curtains and other window coverings are often opened and closed with long cords.”

“Risks and injuries from the product”

“Young children have died in Australian homes from accidents with corded blinds and curtains.”

“Blind and curtain cords can be a strangling risk to children. Loose cords from blinds or curtains can be very dangerous to young children. The cords can tangle or loop around a child’s neck.”

“Even with raised coverings, children can climb onto window sills or furniture and access cords.”

“Cords can also strangle young children sleeping or playing in cots placed near windows where cords are within reach or hanging into cots.”

“Young children often like to climb onto furniture to look out the window. If they can reach the cords, they may become caught in them, lose their footing and be strangled or injured.”

“Accidental strangling can happen very quickly. Never leave children alone in a room with unsecured blind or curtain cords, even for a short while.”

“Things to look for when buying the product”

“Some young children have been strangled when playing near, or trying to use blinds and curtains. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.”

“Only buy and install blinds, curtains and window fittings that comply with the blinds, curtains and window fittings mandatory standard.”

“While the mandatory standard covers domestic dwellings, it doesn't apply to the installation of corded internal window coverings in caravans, mobile homes or boats.”

“Design and construction”

“Choose blinds and curtains with safe design features.”

“Consider blinds that operate without exposed cords.”

“Marks and labels”

“The blind, curtain or window fitting has warning labels.”

“Installation”

“Requirements of the standard are met when installing a corded internal window covering in a domestic dwelling, other than caravans, mobile homes, and boats.”

“Secure any loose or looped cords. Don’t leave them hanging down where children can reach.”

“If possible, remove any looped cords by cutting the cord and installing tassels.”

“When it's not possible to remove the looped cords, secure them to keep out of children's reach. Some blinds can’t operate properly without looped cords. You can secure them with either tie-downs (cleats) or tension devices that enclose cords and chain loops.”

“Always fix tie-downs and tension devices to the wall or window frame to prevent a child from removing them.”

“Corded internal window coverings installation guide”

“This installation guide explains how either a cleat or a cord guide can be installed to keep loose cords secure.”

“How to use the product safely”

“Buy tie-downs and tension devices from hardware or window furnishing stores.”

“Don’t put children’s cots, beds, highchairs or playpens near a window where children can reach the blind or curtain cords.”

“Don’t place sofas, chairs, tables, shelves or bookcases near windows with corded blinds or curtains.”

“Check all window furnishings and place all cords out of children’s reach.”

“If you live in a rental property, get help from your landlord or agent to make sure cords and chains are out of reach.”

“Next steps if a product is unsafe”

“When buying a product, consumers have the right to expect the product is of acceptable quality.”

“Acceptable quality includes that the product is safe, durable and free from defects.”

“If you bought a product that doesn’t comply with the mandatory standard or is unsafe, you can report it to us.”

“If a person is seriously injured or needs urgent medical help, call emergency services on Triple Zero (000).”

From Product Safety Australia: Blinds, curtains and window fittings guide. Source: productsafety.gov.au © Commonwealth of Australia.

“Window coverings include curtains or blinds with a cord, and related fittings such as traverse rods or tracks.”

“There are 2 mandatory safety standards for blinds, curtains and window fittings.”

“There is a mandatory standard covering the supply of these products and requires labels and components for cord safety for internal window coverings and fittings.”

“The other mandatory standard covers the installation of blinds, curtains and window fittings.”

“Products the mandatory standards applies to”

“Corded internal window coverings are window coverings used inside a home and include:”

• “window coverings, such as curtains or blinds with a cord”
• “fittings used with a window covering, such as a traverse rod or track.”

“Products the mandatory standards do not apply to”

“The Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014 doesn’t apply to the installation of corded internal window coverings in:”

• “caravans”
• “mobile homes”
• “boats.”

“Complying with the mandatory standards”

“There are 2 mandatory standards for blinds, curtains and window fittings.”

“They apply to:”

• “the supply, labelling and components for cord safety of the product and packaging”
• “how to install window coverings.”

“This information is an overview of how to comply with the mandatory standard. Suppliers must not rely on this information as a complete guide to compliance.”

“View the full detail of the mandatory standard.”

“Supplying blinds, curtains and window fittings”

“Suppliers of blinds, curtains and window fittings must comply with the Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard - Corded Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010.”

“Labelling”

“Corded internal window coverings must have:”

• “a warning label on the retail packaging”
• “a warning label or swing tag attached to the cord”
• “installation instructions.”

“Safety warning statement”

“The warning label on the retail packaging of a corded window covering must contain the words:”

“WARNING: CURTAIN AND BLIND CORDS HAVE CAUSED THE DEATH OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND MUST BE INSTALLED SO THAT THEY ARE NOT A STRANGULATION HAZARD. FOLLOW THE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS.”

“The warning label or swing tag attached to the cord must contain the words:”

“WARNING: Young children have died by wrapping loose curtain and blind cords or chains around their necks. Secure cords or chains with cord guides or keep them out of reach by winding them around a cleat. Move cots and furniture away from window covering cords or chains. Do not remove this label.”

“Installing blinds, curtains and window fittings”

“Installers of blinds, curtains and window fittings must comply with the Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014.”

“Instructions”

“The corded internal window covering must be installed according to the installation instructions on the window covering packaging.”

“Labels and tags”

“A person installing a corded internal window covering must attach a label to it. It must contain the name and contact details of the person or company who installs the product.”

“They must not remove any warning label or swing tag supplied with the corded internal window covering.”

“Cleats and cord guides”

“A cleat or a cord guide must be installed correctly to keep loose cords secure.”

“The corded internal window covering must be installed to make sure:”

• “a loose cord cannot form a loop 220 mm or longer at less than 1,600 mm above floor level”
• “any components for cord safety specified in the installation instructions are used.”

“No part of a cord guide may be installed lower than 1,600 mm above floor level unless:”

• “the cord guide will remain firmly attached to a wall or other structure when subjected to a tension force of 70N”
• “the cord is secured or tensioned to prevent the formation of a loop 220 mm or longer.”

“A cleat used to secure a cord may not be installed lower than 1,600 mm above floor level.”

“Mandatory standard details”

“The Trade Practices (Consumer Product Safety Standard - Corded Internal Window Coverings) Regulations 2010 sets out the mandatory requirements for corded internal window coverings.”

“The Competition and Consumer (Corded Internal Window Coverings) Safety Standard 2014 contains the mandatory requirements for installing corded internal window coverings.”

“The accompanying Explanatory Statement has further information.”

“When a product does not comply”

“Fines and penalties may apply for failure to comply with a mandatory safety or information standard. For more information, see fines and penalties.”

“Suppliers may need to recall a product when it doesn't meet the mandatory standard or is potentially unsafe.”

From Product Safety Australia: Blinds, curtains and window fittings mandatory standard. Source: productsafety.gov.au © Commonwealth of Australia.